Teakettle handle and cap



Dec. 7, 1954 R. 1. FELVER TEAKETTLE HANDLE AND CAP Filed Aug. 1, 1952 IN V EN TOR.

Richard 1. Fe Zver BY %W&

ATTORNEYS United States Patent TEAKETTLE HANDLE AND CAP Richard I.. Fclver, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignols tov The Enterprise Aluminum Company, Massillon, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio.

The invention relates to teakettles. and more. particularly to the type of teakettle in which the spout is. provided with a. closure. or cap adapted to be operated by means upon the teakettle. handle for opening the. closure...

An object. of the invention is to provide a teakettle having, a handle. closure or cap, and novel. means associated with the handle for opening and closing the. cap. or closure.

Another obj'ectis to provide. such a .teakettle in which the closure operating means consists. of a minimum number of readily accessible parts.

Still another object is to provide such a teakettle in which the closure operating means. is. operated by closing or squeezing pressure of the hand grasping the tea.- kettle handle.

A further object is to provide a teakettle of the character referred to which is of simple and inexpensive con.- struction, and easy to assemble and operate.

The. above objects together with others which are apparent from the drawing and following description, or which may be. later referred to, may be attained by constructing the improved teakettle handle and cap in the manner hereinafter described in detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a. top plan view of a teakettle embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 a side elevation of the teakettle with the cap or closure in. the lowered or closed position, parts being broken away for the purpose of illustration;

Fig. 3 a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2, showing the spout closure or cap in open position;

Fig. 4 a detached, top plan view of the spout closure or cap; and,

Fig. 5. a detached, fragmentary, sectional elevation of the forward end of the handle.

Referring now more particularly to the embodiment of the invention illustrated, in which similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout, the teakettle comprises a container wihch may be formed of any suitable material, preferably sheet aluminum, and includes generally the cylindrical body portion and integral, domed top 11, a flat bottom wall 12, also preferably formed of sheet aluminum, being seamed, welded or otherwise secured to the lower edge of the body portion 10, as indicated at 13...

It. should be understood that the: shape, design and details of construction of the teakettle per se are not important, the invention being primarily concerned with the novel features of the handle, spout closure or cap and operating means therefor, as illustrated in the drawing and later described in detail.

The top 11 of the teakettle is provided with an up standing, slightly angularly disposed, pouring and filling spout 14, which is formed integrally with the body of the teakettle.

A handle generally indicated at 15, preferably molded in one piece from a suitable plastic material, is secured to the top of the teakettle for manipulating the same. This handle is provided with the central, slightly curved portion 16, shaped to conform with, or generally follow,

the contour of the top of the kettle and is provided at opposite ends with the forward and rear legs 17 and 18, terminating in the feet 19 and 20 respectively, for connection to the top of the kettle, as will be later described.

Throughout the greater portion of its length the handle is of channel cross sectional shape, as indicated of novel and attractive design, a spout.

U the pivot 41 2,696,332 Patented Dec. 7, 1954 2 at 21, the channel being open upwardly and outwardly.

The rear foot 20 of the handle is secured to the top of the teakettle by means of a screw 22, located through "ice the opening 23 in the foot, and the stake nut 24 located" through a suitable opening 25 in the top of the kettle.

The forward foot 19 of the handle is provided with the forwardly extending toe 26, secured to the top of the teakettle by the angular flange 27 of the attaching clip 28 which is secured. to the top of the kettle as by the rivets 29 or their equivalents.

At the forward end of the handle, the spaced channel extension flanges 30 are provided, the lower edges thereof following the contour of the top of the kettle, these extensions being of substantially the. same height. as. the spout 14 and their or curved as at 31 to fit against the sides of the spout.

A slot 32 is formed in the forward edge of each channel extension 30, these slots providing bearings for the journals of the spout closure. or cap as will be later described.

The spout closure or cap 33 is preferably molded in one piece from plastic, similar to that from which the handle is made, and is provided with a peripheral flange. 34 adapted to fit. upon the upper edge 35 of the spout and preferably terminates downwardly in the conical flange 36 adapted to fit within the. upper open end of the spout to tightly close the same.

This cap may be hollow, as indicated at 37, to receive any suitable and well known type of whistle or the like, as indicated at 38, adapted to operate in usual manner to whistle when the water within the teakettle reaches the boiling point. A. central opening 39 is formed in file 1top of the cap to release steam pressure within the ett e.

A spaced pair of integral cars. 40 extend rearwardly from the closure or cap 33 and depend downwardly therefrom. Outwardly disposed trunnions 41 are formed integrally upon the cars. 40 and are received within the open slots 32 in the extensions 30 of the handle, forming a fulcrum or hinge. joint for the cap.

A closure operator is provided in the form of a. lever 42, preferably molded in one piece from a plastic similar to that from which the handle and cap are formed. This. lever is preferablyforwardly tapered, so as to fit within the forwardly tapered channel of the handle, and is otherwise curved or shaped to conform to the contour of the. handle.

The rear end of the lever 42 is preferably enlarged as at 43. to receive the. pivot pin 4.4. which. is located through the apertures 45 in the channel flanges of the handle. A downwardly curved leg 4.6 is integrally formed at the forward end of the lever 42, being curved or shaped. to conform to the forward leg 17 of the handle, and this leg terminates in the forwardly directed foot 47 received between the. cars 40 of the closure or cap and provided with the forwardly open slot. 48. which receives the pin. 49 secured in the openings 5.0 of the cars. 40.

Suitable spring means, indicated may be either a. coil spring, interposed between, the handle 15 and the lever 42 for normally holding the lever in raised position as shown in Fig. 2, so as to maintain the closure or cap 33 in lowered or closed position upon the spout 14.

The teakettle as illustrated and above described is of attractive appearance, simple, compact and inexpensive in design and construction and adapted for the heating of water, and easily operated for opening and closing the spout closure or cap.

The desired amount of water may be introduced through the spout and dispensed therefrom when the closure operating means is manipulated to raise or open the cap or closure. This is accomplished by grasping the handle in one hand in normal manner, to pick up the kettle, and by further closing or squeezing of the hand upon the handle the lever 42 is depressed, compressing the spring 51 and lowering the foot 47 of the lever 42.

This causes the closure or cap 33 to be rocked upon to the open position shown in Fig. 3, so be introduced or dispensed through the generally at. 51, which that water may forward edges being bevelled spout 14. Upon release of pressure upon the lever 42 the combined weight of the cap 33 and tension of the spring 51 will immediately riturn to closed position.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for descriptive purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiments of the improved construction illustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction.

Having now described the invention or discovery, the construction, the operation, and use of preferred embodiments thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful constructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A teakettle comprising a container having a body portion and a closed top, a spout extending from said container, a closure for said spout, a handle secured to said container, a rearward extension upon the closure, means pivoting said rearward extension upon the handle, a pin mounted on said rearward extension, and means for raising said closure, said means comprising a lever of substantially the same length as the handle and located on top of the handle, means pivoting the rear end of the lever to the rear end of the handle, and a slot in the forward end of the lever, said slot receiving the pin upon said rearward extension, said lever being so positioned that it is adapted to be depressed by the hand which grasps said handle.

2. A teakettle comprising a container having a body portion and a closed top, a spout extending from said container, a closure for said spout, a handle secured to said container, a rearward extension upon the closure, means pivoting said rearward extension upon the handle, a pin mounted on said rearward extension, and means for raising said closure, said means comprising a lever of substantially the same length as the handle and located on top of the handle, means pivoting the rear end of the lever to the handle, a spring interposed between the rear end of the handle and the lever, and a slot in the forward end of the lever, said slot receiving the pin upon said rearward extension, said lever being so positioned that it is adapted to be depressed by the hand which grasps said handle.

3. A teakettle comprising a container having a body portion and a closed top, a spout extending from said container, a closure for said spout, a handle secured to said container, a spaced pair of rearwardly extending ears upon the closure, means pivoting said ears upon the handle, a pin mounted on said ears, and means for raising said closure, said means comprising a lever of substantially the same length as the handle and located on top of the handle, means pivoting the rear end of the leverto the rear end of the handle a leaf spring located between the handle and the lever and connected at its rear end to the handle, and a slot in the forward end of the lever, said slot receiving the pin upon said ears, said lever being so positioned that it is adapted to be depressed by the hand which grasps said handle.

4. A teakettle comprising a container having a body portion and a closed top, a spout extending from said container, a closure for said spout, a handle secured to said container, said handle being of channel cross-section, extension flanges at the forward end of the handle and having slots therein, a spaced pair of rearwardly extending ears upon the closure, trunnions upon said ears received in said slots, a pin having its ends mounted in said ears, and means for raising said closure, said means comprising a lever of substantially the same length as the handle and located on top of the handle located partially in the channel of the handle a leaf spring located between the handle and the lever and connected at its rear end to the handle, means pivoting the rear end of the lever in the rear end of the handle, and a forwardly disposed foot on the front end of the lever and received between said ears, there being a slot in said foot receiving said pin, said lever being so positioned that it is adapted to be depressed by the hand which grasps said handle.

5. A teakettle comprising a container having a body portion and a closed top, a spout extending from said container, a closure for said spout, a handle having depending front and rear legs secured to the container, said handle being of channel cross-section, extension flanges at the forward end of the handle and having slots therein, a spaced pair of rearwardly extending ears upon the closure, trunnions upon said ears received in said slots, a pin having its ends mounted in said ears, and means for raising said closure, said means comprising a lever of substantially the same length as the handle and located on top of the handle located partially in the channel of the handle a leaf spring located between the handle and the lever and connected at its rear end to the handle, means pivoting the rear end of the lever in the rear end of the handle, a depending leg at the forward end of the lever, and a forwardly disposed foot upon said leg, said foot being received between said ears and having a slot therein receiving said pin, said lever being so positioned that it is adapted to be depressed by the hand which grasps said handle.

6. A teakettle comprising a container having a body portion and a closed top, a spout extending from said container, a closure for said spout, a handle secured to said container, said handle being of channel cross-section, a rearward extension upon the closure, means pivoting said rearward extension upon the handle, a pin mounted on said rearward extension, and means for raising said closure, said means comprising a lever of substantially the same length as the handle and located on top of the handle, means mounting the lever for substantially vertical movement in the channel of the handle, there being a slot in the forward end of the lever, said slot receiving said pin upon the rearward extension, and spring means for normally urging the lever upward, said lever being so positioned that it is adapted to be depressed by the hand which grasps said handle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,590,596 Ziskin et a1 Mar. 25, 1952 2,620,948 Ziskin et al. Dec. 9, 1952 

